Security Guards Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Security Guards Salary in All 50 States
Compare Security Guards pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $48,620 | $54,720 | $35,290 | $81,190 | 2,050 |
| Washington | $48,010 | $52,940 | $38,030 | $73,480 | 24,820 |
| Colorado | $46,080 | $47,850 | $34,490 | $58,780 | 16,830 |
| Minnesota | $46,020 | $50,110 | $34,720 | $71,050 | 14,030 |
| Massachusetts | $44,950 | $45,680 | $36,090 | $57,440 | 24,100 |
| New Hampshire | $44,510 | $47,720 | $35,430 | $63,190 | 2,630 |
| California | $43,930 | $45,970 | $36,180 | $59,320 | 185,510 |
| Oregon | $43,680 | $46,110 | $35,750 | $60,870 | 11,550 |
| Virginia | $43,440 | $47,650 | $31,200 | $73,470 | 33,440 |
| Vermont | $42,800 | $43,830 | $35,260 | $51,500 | 830 |
| New York | $42,680 | $45,920 | $35,630 | $60,150 | 132,140 |
| Utah | $42,440 | $43,130 | $32,950 | $53,300 | 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $41,770 | $43,310 | $30,220 | $59,290 | 9,790 |
| Maine | $41,400 | $42,310 | $33,190 | $53,010 | 1,760 |
| Missouri | $40,680 | $45,880 | $31,010 | $69,550 | 19,180 |
| Idaho | $40,610 | $48,350 | $30,650 | $79,470 | 2,710 |
| Connecticut | $39,990 | $43,150 | $34,330 | $55,370 | 12,040 |
| North Dakota | $39,970 | $42,080 | $30,710 | $53,970 | 1,230 |
| Wisconsin | $39,110 | $43,000 | $31,010 | $56,570 | 11,670 |
| Nebraska | $38,940 | $43,260 | $33,680 | $61,310 | 4,440 |
| Rhode Island | $38,900 | $39,540 | $30,050 | $51,120 | 3,190 |
| New Jersey | $38,720 | $43,270 | $32,750 | $60,500 | 37,970 |
| New Mexico | $38,650 | $45,330 | $30,270 | $66,480 | 8,240 |
| Illinois | $38,630 | $43,850 | $35,580 | $59,190 | 53,560 |
| Maryland | $38,590 | $44,850 | $33,250 | $62,330 | 27,220 |
| Arizona | $38,560 | $41,260 | $32,480 | $49,900 | 26,720 |
| Nevada | $38,340 | $39,880 | $28,970 | $48,500 | 25,610 |
| Montana | $38,300 | $39,130 | $28,770 | $47,940 | 1,440 |
| Michigan | $38,120 | $40,100 | $27,970 | $54,600 | 25,760 |
| Delaware | $37,690 | $44,940 | $34,520 | $78,010 | 3,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,680 | $40,770 | $29,860 | $51,810 | 43,710 |
| Indiana | $37,560 | $42,650 | $30,330 | $64,210 | 17,900 |
| Iowa | $37,380 | $40,310 | $30,810 | $49,710 | 6,450 |
| West Virginia | $37,220 | $39,430 | $23,310 | $59,270 | 6,290 |
| Arkansas | $37,090 | $38,670 | $28,340 | $48,840 | 6,680 |
| South Dakota | $37,010 | $39,340 | $30,020 | $50,190 | 1,420 |
| Oklahoma | $36,580 | $40,500 | $26,360 | $58,980 | 12,320 |
| Wyoming | $36,330 | $38,560 | $28,150 | $49,290 | 1,020 |
| Ohio | $36,180 | $40,500 | $28,540 | $61,940 | 34,590 |
| Florida | $36,090 | $39,000 | $29,630 | $47,990 | 95,350 |
| Kansas | $36,090 | $41,440 | $29,730 | $58,310 | 6,790 |
| Tennessee | $36,090 | $39,630 | $28,690 | $60,200 | 28,260 |
| North Carolina | $35,900 | $40,600 | $28,930 | $58,010 | 29,360 |
| Georgia | $35,670 | $39,720 | $26,190 | $58,790 | 35,410 |
| Kentucky | $35,520 | $36,760 | $28,680 | $48,730 | 13,500 |
| South Carolina | $34,820 | $36,030 | $26,270 | $47,180 | 16,180 |
| Texas | $33,390 | $37,500 | $24,710 | $49,200 | 99,370 |
| Louisiana | $31,660 | $35,530 | $22,280 | $49,430 | 15,780 |
| Alabama | $31,210 | $34,640 | $23,350 | $46,400 | 15,050 |
| Mississippi | $29,710 | $32,750 | $22,110 | $46,340 | 9,600 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Security Guards Salary FAQs
Which state pays Security Guardss the most?
Alaska pays the highest median salary for Security Guardss at $48,620 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Alaska ($48,620), Washington ($48,010), Colorado ($46,080), Minnesota ($46,020), Massachusetts ($44,950).
What is the average Security Guards salary nationally?
The average median Security Guards salary across all 50 states is $39,066 per year. The salary ranges from $29,710 in Mississippi to $48,620 in Alaska — a difference of $18,910.
Which state pays Security Guardss the least?
Mississippi has the lowest median Security Guards salary at $29,710 per year. However, cost of living in Mississippi may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.